Liga MB Round 10: Santa Tecla hand first loss to Metapan

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Metapan (6-1) on the court of fourth ranked Santa Tecla on Friday night. Visitors were edged by Santa Tecla 88-85. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Metapan. Santa Tecla made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Metapan turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Raymond Miller (204-1988, college: CS Fullerton) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points and 15 rebounds. Colombian Michaell Jackson (190-1987) contributed with 20 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Santa Tecla's coach used entire bench in such tough game. Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) replied with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 21 rebounds for Metapan. Defending champion (5-2) moved-up to third place, which they share with Brujos. Metapan at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. Santa Tecla will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Metapan will play on the road against Fantasmas in San Vicente and is hoping to win this game.
Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa managed to get a second victory, breaking the four-game losing streak. This time they won against tenth-ranked Cojute in Cojutepeque 91-74. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 17-point difference suggests that Chalchuapa is in a good shape to leave the bottom place. American Gorg Alhag (190-1997, college: Mayville St.) had a double-double by scoring 21 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Ryann Abraham chipped in 33 points (!!!) and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side American swingman Andravious Smith (196-1995, college: Tougaloo) responded with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 22 rebounds and 4 assists. Cojute's coach rotated twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Chalchuapa (2-6) moved-up to tenth place. Cojute lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with six games lost. Chalchuapa will play against higher ranked Aguila (#6) in San Miguel in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Cojute will have a break next round.
The game in Nejapa was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Brujos (5-2) played at the court of 8th ranked Nejapa (2-4). Brujos defeated Nejapa 114-100 on Thursday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nejapa. Xavier de la Rosa notched 34 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 37 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds by Telvin Gabriel did not help to save the game for Nejapa. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brujos moved-up to third place, which they share with Santa Tecla. Loser Nejapa keeps the eighth position with four games lost. Brujos will meet league's leader San Salvador on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nejapa will play against Fantasmas (#5) in San Vicente and hope to secure a win.

Nejapa - Brujos 100-114

The game in Nejapa was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Brujos (5-2) played at the court of 8th ranked Nejapa (2-4). Brujos defeated Nejapa 114-100 on Thursday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nejapa. Brujos dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Nejapa's 48. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Brujos made 8 blocks. Dominican forward Xavier de la Rosa (196-1991) notched 34 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and Maxwel Mendoza supported him with 31 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Even a double-double of 37 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds by American forward Telvin Gabriel (198-1994, college: Lander) did not help to save the game for Nejapa. His fellow American import Marcus Faison (196-1994, college: Salem St.) added 21 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Four Brujos and five Nejapa players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brujos moved-up to third place, which they share with Santa Tecla. Loser Nejapa keeps the eighth position with four games lost. Brujos will meet league's leader San Salvador on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nejapa will play against Fantasmas (#5) in San Vicente and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nejapa: T.Gabriel 37+17reb+3ast, M.Faison 21+15reb+4ast, M.Justin 14, E.Sample 12+3reb+1ast, E.Paiz 12+4reb+5ast, J.Castillo 2+5reb+1ast
Brujos: X.de la Rosa 34+9reb+6ast, M.Maxwel 31+9reb+6ast, T.Romero 19+21reb+1ast, J.Angulo 10+5reb+9ast, P.Andres 8+8reb+3ast, G.Galdamez 6+2ast

Santa Tecla - Metapan 88-85

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Metapan (6-1) on the court of fourth ranked Santa Tecla on Friday night. Visitors were edged by Santa Tecla 88-85. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Metapan. Santa Tecla made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Metapan turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Raymond Miller (204-1988, college: CS Fullerton) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points and 15 rebounds. Colombian Michaell Jackson (190-1987) contributed with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Santa Tecla's coach used entire bench in such tough game. Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) replied with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 21 rebounds and Venezuelan point guard Edwin Mijares (186-1992) added 22 points and 4 assists in the effort for Metapan. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Defending champion (5-2) moved-up to third place, which they share with Brujos. Metapan at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. Santa Tecla will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Metapan will play on the road against Fantasmas in San Vicente and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 22+21reb+1ast, E.Mijares 22+3reb+4ast, E.Ishman 14+5reb+3ast, M.Ramos 13+5reb+10ast, D.Jaramillo 6+3reb+1ast, C.Benjamin 4+2reb
Santa Tecla: R.Miller 22+15reb+1ast, M.Jackson 20+11reb+3ast, E.Rodriguez 16+2reb+1ast, J.Liriano 11+7reb+1ast, R.Gerardo 9+3reb+3ast, M.Lahud 6+2reb+4ast

Cojute - Chalchuapa 74-91

Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa managed to get a second victory, breaking the four-game losing streak. This time they won against tenth-ranked Cojute in Cojutepeque 91-74. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 17-point difference suggests that Chalchuapa is in a good shape to leave the bottom place. They also forced 21 Cojute turnovers. American Gorg Alhag (190-1997, college: Mayville St.) had a double-double by scoring 21 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Puerto Rican point guard Ryann Abraham (182-1987, college: App State) chipped in 33 points (!!!) and 4 assists during the contest. Alhag is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side American swingman Andravious Smith (196-1995, college: Tougaloo) responded with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 22 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Nestor Avalos (182-1996) scored 2 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Cojute's coach rotated twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Chalchuapa (2-6) moved-up to tenth place. Cojute lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with six games lost. Chalchuapa will play against higher ranked Aguila (#6) in San Miguel in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Cojute will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Cojute: A.Smith 32+22reb+4ast, T.Jefferson 10+1reb+3ast, R.Melendez 10+3reb, V.Sebastian 5, R.Gianfranco 4, J.Flores 4+5reb+1ast
Chalchuapa: R.Abraham 33+4ast, J.Ortiz 28+8reb, G.Alhag 21+12reb+5ast, H.Eleazar 6+9reb, M.Gonzalez 3+7reb, L.Fernando 0



Tags : RAYMOND MILLER, ITD SANTA TECLA BC, SALVADOREAN BASKETBALL